Camu camu, also called cacari and camocamo, is a small tree that grows alongside rivers in the western and central Amazon basin in South America. It bears purple, cherry-sized berries which, due to their extreme acidity, are typically sweetened into jams, jellies, and juices, rather than eaten raw. The berries have been utilized for medicinal purposes by Amazonian Indians for centuries, and were often made into hair tonics. Although they are not well-known fruits in…
The shiitake, also called the black forest mushroom and the oakwood mushroom in English-speaking countries, is an edible brown mushroom that is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It has been cultivated for over a thousand years, and fresh and dried shiitake remain popular in East Asia today. Like maitake, which bear a similar nutritional profile, shiitake is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its alleged healing properties. Though less popular in the…
The maitake, also known in English-speaking countries as the hen-of-the-woods, is a large, earthy-brown mushroom that grows at the base of trees, especially oaks. It is native to northeastern Japan and certain parts of North America, and – along with shiitake – is one of Japan’s major culinary mushrooms. It is equally popular in China, where it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its alleged healing properties. The maitake is one…
Ground cherries (also called husk cherries and cape gooseberries) are small, orange fruits that grow inside thin, lantern-like husks. They belong to the nightshade family, and are native to temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world, including North America. Despite their name, ground cherries are more closely related to tomatoes than cherries, and their sweet, refreshing taste – comparable to that of strawberries – lends them well to salads, desserts, jams, and juices. Ground cherries…
Bacopa monnieri, also called brahmi and water hyssop, is a thick-leafed herb that favors wet and muddy locations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern parts of the United States. It is characterized by its green leaves and white flowers, and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries thanks to its considerable healing properties, especially in relation to mental health. It is relatively inexpensive to buy from health food stores, and is usually consumed…
